And those four vets combined to score 79 points in the Bucks' best display since this new group was assembled at the start of training camp.

"We hope those guys can get into some type of rhythm" Drew said. "As we finish this last preseason game those guys will be playing minutes."

A rotation is starting to develop although it will change when power forward Ersan Ilyasova returns from an ankle injury.

Ridnour played more minutes than normal because of a hamstring injury that sidelined point guard Brandon Knight. And Larry Sanders and veteran Zaza Pachulia shared the center chores with Sanders managing his fouls and playing 25 minutes while Pachulia played 21.

"That's exactly what I wanted to see" Drew said of ball movement that resulted in 26 assists and 52% field goal shooting against the Knicks.

"We can't play one-on-one isolation basketball. That ball has to swing; it has to hop. I told our guys 'If we put up any kind of a defensive stand and if our assist total is anywhere in the middle 20s our chances of winning those games are going to be very good.'"

The Bucks and Knicks will meet again in a few days in the regular-season opener Wednesday at Madison Square Garden and New York could have point guard Raymond Felton and forward Amar'e Stoudemire back by then.

"This was just a preseason game" Drew said. "I know they were looking at some things and we were looking at some things.

"It will be nothing like this when we go up to Madison Square Garden. And we're prepared for that."

But at least Drew is beginning to see his team play as a more cohesive unit.

"You want to build on good habits especially when you have a new group" Pachulia said.

The Bucks will get tested immediately with a two-game trip to New York and Boston to open the season before returning for the home opener Nov. 2 against Toronto.